Determining the relationship COVID-19 pandemic on parents' knowledge, behaviors and attitudes about childhood vaccines

In this study, the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of parents with children aged 0-59 months who applied to family health centers located in four central districts of Ankara province, and the factors affecting it were evaluated. The research is a descriptive type of epidemiological research. Data were collected by face-to-face interview method. A total of 205 parents were included in the study. "Coronavirus Fear Scale" and "Health Belief Model-based Community Attitude Scale to Vaccine" were used in the study. As the scale score increases, the fear of coronavirus increases. Parents scored moderate to high on the Coronavirus Fear Scale. It has been found that those who have healthcare workers nearby, those who have COVID-19 disease and those who are vaccinated against COVID-19, and parents who have their children fully vaccinated, score higher on the Coronavirus Fear Scale. In the study, %27,8 of parents postponed their childhood vaccinations during the pandemic period. The most common reason for delaying vaccinations has been found to be fear of contracting COVID-19. The mean SIM score of parents who were vaccinated against COVID-19 was higher than those who were not vaccinated. As the score of the "Society attitude towards the vaccine health belief model scale" increases, the score of the "Coronavirus fear scale" also increases. There is a positive and significant relationship between the fear of coronavirus and the perceived severity, perceived benefit, perceived barrier, and health responsibility (SIM) sub-dimensions of the vaccine. SIM; It is an important indicator that determines the beliefs and attitudes of parents towards vaccines. It is desirable and expected for parents with a high fear of coronavirus to have positive attitudes towards vaccines and to be more willing to vaccinate their children. Primary care and public health strategies should be developed and more comprehensive studies should beconducted to reduce delays in routine childhood vaccinations during the COVID-19 outbreak.